MINI CLIPPER TORCH

Mini Clipper Torch

🔹 Mini Torch 🔹 CLIPPER®🔹 Functional 🔹 Multi Color – No AMS🔹

This model allows you to transform 5 clippers into a mini torch. You can turn the bottom knob to control the gas valves on all clippers at the same time. It was (very) loosely inspired by the Tokyo Olympic Torch 2020. This torch model can be dangerous and create fire hazard, read carefully full description before usage and remember: Lefty loosey, righty tighty ;)

 

🔧ASSEMBLY

There are 2 models available. In both, you need to glue the lower handle to the main shaft. Use epoxy or another strong plastic glue - apply solid portion of it on the groves in bottom nut/key. Make sure the glue doesn't overflow and lock the main shaft in place - best to glue upside down.

 

The standard model comes with "tight" nut, assembly is a bit more complicated - but it works the best. 

1. Screw the top nut to the point that it bearly holds on the top of the thread.
2. Insert clippers into torch rotated to one side
3. Screw the top nut until the top cap is close to gas leverages
4. Turn the clippers to slighlty to normal position and push them down with hand
4.1. Repeate steps 3 & 4 untill the clippers reach bottom
5. If you feel like the nut is stuck on step 3 or 4, push down the top cap (do it every time when the nut feels stuck, it might be a few times)

 

 

There are 2 additional nuts in 3rd print profile, they allow to fully insert clippers before screwing the nut, however I found that, those nuts often produce uneven flame for a few clipers. To mitigate this, use one of the distancers (1mm or 0.5mm) from 3rd print profile.

 

If you opted for 2 colors with additional sticks, you need to glue them to the sides. Apply the glue in the middle section, leaving some free space for your fingers. I did them in sets of 3, waiting every time for the glue to harden.

 

🔧HOW TO USE

1. Prepare an independent fire source before you turn on the torch.
2. Screw until you hear the gas from the clippers (DO NOT TRY TO SCREW WITH AS MUCH FORCE AS POSSIBLE, YOU CAN LOCK THE SCREW).
3. Ignite!
4. Screw in the clockwise direction to turn off the torch.
5. Before storing, always make sure the torch is OFF.

 

IF YOU FEEL LIKE THE KNOB IS STUCK IN THE ‘ON’ POSITION, BLOW OUT THE FLAMES AND USE SOMETHING LIKE A CLOTH FOR BETTER GRIP TO TURN IT ‘OFF’. YOU CAN ALSO APPLY SOME LUBRICANT BETWEEN THE OUTER BODY AND THE MAIN SHAFT AND LET IT SINK INSIDE (PHOTO BELOW) TO REDUCE FRICTION BETWEEN THE ELEMENTS, MAKING THEM LESS LIKELY TO GET STUCK IN THE ‘ON’ POSITION IN THE FUTURE.

 

 

🔥DANGER!

If handled improperly this model might create a fire hazard. Use in large and well-ventilated areas. Remember to always check if the clippers are “off” before storage — the best method is to try lighting them up. No ignition = no leaking gas.  To minimize risk, store away from hot/fire/sparking sources in open space.

 

Additionally, this model intentionally voids one of the clipper safety mechanisms. The torch allows you to set the gas lever to *always on* - this can be dangerous if you drop the torch.

 

At the end of the day you are playing with fire and explosive gases. Be careful. I don't take any responsibility!

 

🔬SOME COOL SCIENCE

Assuming the Lower Explosion Limit (LEL) of 1.6% for butane, and the fact that a fully loaded clipper can store around 4g (~7 ml) of butane, you can calculate how “big” a chamber needs to be, to create an explosive mix of butane-air gas. When you decrease the pressure of liquid butane, it becomes gas with a larger volume - this 7 ml of liquid will transform to roughly 1.6 dm³ (liters) of gas at 1 atm (standard atmosphere).

 

Any ratio greater than the LEL (1.6%) can be dangerous. This means that when you account for 5 clippers (fully loaded), they can release around 8 dm³ of butane gas, meaning that the chamber must be less than 500 dm³ (0.5 m³) to create explosive ratio - assuming the clippers disposed all of their gas.

 

At first glance it doesn't sound that bad, but there is one caveat. Butane is denser than air, meaning that even if you have a big area, the gas can still concentrate in some spaces. Imagine something like a bathtub - generally, if it can hold water, it can hold butane too! This is especially dangerous in large-scale cooling/heating systems that use R290 refrigerant (which is propane - quite similar to butane), measured in kilograms, not grams.

 

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